The Fate and Implications of Removal of Hydrothermally-Injected NH4+ from Plume Waters

高水平的氨从沉积（瓜伊马斯盆地）和沉积物匮乏的山脊系统（胡安德富卡山脊的奋进段）的热液喷口排放出来。这种氨可能是有机碳化学化岩自养生产的重要底物，但很少有人关注这种水热衍生氨的生物地球化学。因此，主要研究人员与佛罗里达国际大学的一位科学家合作，计划确定NH4+的去除率，并确定相对于异养细菌的同化，这种水热注入的NH4+有多少通过硝化氧化被消耗掉了。与夏威夷大学生物医学研究中心的一位科学家合作，将确定在不断发展的热液羽流中相关硝化细菌的种群动态。主要研究人员还计划评估NH4+氧化对热液羽流中有机c生成的贡献。

High levels of ammonia are discharged from hydrothermal vents at sedimented (Guaymas Basin) and sediment-starved ridge systems (Endeavour Segment on the Juan de Fuca Ridge). This ammonia may be an important substrate for the chemolithoautotrophic production of organic carbon, yet little, if any, attention has been focused on understanding the biogeochemistry of this hydrothermally-derived ammonia. For this reason, the principal investigators working in collaboration with a scientist from Florida International University, plan to determine the rate of NH4+ removal and ascertain what fraction of this hydrothermally-injected NH4+ is consumed via oxidation by nitrification relative to assimilation by heterotrophic bacteria. In collaboration with a scientist from the University of Hawaii Biomedical Research Center, the population dynamics of the relevant nitrifying bacteria in an evolving hydrothermal plume will be determined. The principal investigators also plan to assess the contribution of NH4+ oxidation to organic-C production in hydrothermal plumes.